TravelWatch- ISLE OF MAN

Representingand promoting the interests of Isle of Man passengers

BULLETIN 32- OCTOBER 2014

Dear Members and Supporters

NEXT PUBLIC MEETING

TheAutumn TWIOM Public Meetingwill be on Saturday morning 8th Novemberat the Villa Marina in Douglas.The Agenda will include:

  • Ian Longworth, the Island's Director of Public Transport who will update us on the buses and heritage railways.
  • Mike Bathgate will be reviewing the air services scene in the light of the major changes introduced last April and the recent loss of Blackpool services
  • John Pennington will bring us up to date on the apparently declining threat to our transport routes posed by wind farms.
  • Progress on User Agreement talks for ferry services has been slower than expected but thrown up further issues like the type of fleet best able to meet the island's needs and the provision of facilities at Liverpool which will be examined.

We will again be providing a “Brief Topics” session enabling very short presentations (max 3 minutes)by members or supporters on any passenger transport related issue. Anyone wishing to make such a presentation should please contact Chairman Brendan O'Friel (or 01624 833636) as soon as possible with details of the topic they wish to raise.

The meeting will start at 10.00 with doors open at 09.30 and will finish not later than 13.00. Coffee will be available mid morning with plenty of time for informal discussion. Admission is free and all are welcome. A poster publicising the meeting is attached – please print off as many copies as you need to help us publicise the meeting in the areas where you live and work.

A poster advertising this meeting is attached to e-mail copies of this Bulletin and we would appreciate your assistance in printing these off and displaying them in shop windows, noticeboards etc.

We are grateful to Novellie, Verardi and Mitchell - Advocates - for sponsoring this meeting

WIND FARMS

In July 2014, Celtic Array (DONG and Centrica) announced the withdrawal, 'due to adverse ground conditions' found in the sea-bed , of their proposals to develop the 'Irish Sea Zone' wind farm. TWIOM is delighted at the removal of this threat to build wind turbines, which would have caused major disruption to the Heysham and Liverpool routes.

Following the Public Examination held in early 2014, an announcement is expected in late 2014 from the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change regarding DONG Energy's proposed Walney Extension wind farm. If approved, this would be located off the Cumbrian coast, and to the north of the Steam Packet's normal weather Heysham route.

It is understood that the IoM Government has received expressions of interest from developers regarding exploitation of Manx waters for energy generation, but TWIOM is not aware of any further public information.

GOVERNMENT CONSULTATIONS

There are two current Government Consultations to which we would draw your attention

  • Equality Bill

Comments are sought on draft Equality Bill. The Bill is based on the UK’s Equality Act 2010 and its aim is to provide a comprehensive legal framework against discrimination in the Isle of Man. The consultation is primarily about ensuring IOM law is similar to that in UK rather than – rather than looking at specific provisions which IOM residents might wish to see. EU Passenger Rights legislation has been introduced since the UK 2010 Act and is planned to be included in respect of Air Passengers in the new IOM Act. Those who are drafting the new law appear to have been unaware of the (later) EU provision for Ferry Passengers until TWIOM pointed this out. The Consultation is open until 14thNovember

details at

  • Draft Central Douglas Masterplan

Feedback is invited on the Draft Central Douglas Masterplan, which aims to encourage investment in the town and support Government’s national priority of growing the economy. There are two areas of passenger interest – provision of bus facilities in any development of the Lord Street site and a plan to develop a Maritime Gateway which would provide facilities for both Ferry and Cruise passengers and replace the current Sea Terminal. This consultation is also open until 14thNovember with full details available at

DEPARTMENT of INFRASTRUCTURE CHARGES

As you will be aware the Department has recently announced a number of new and increased charges. TravelWatch is particularly concerned at proposed changes to parking, drop off and pick-uparrangements at the airport and we have made constructive suggestions to the Department.

A copy of our media release can be found at

Issued on behalf of TravelWatch - ISLE OF MAN

by Paul Moncaster, Membership Secretary